WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is urging Kansas conservatives to unite behind embattled Sen. Pat Roberts, as a national tea party group that once supported Roberts’ primary opponent pledged its support to the three-term incumbent.
The unexpectedly competitive race is entering its final week, and some Kansas tea party supporters are conceding Roberts would be a better choice than independent Greg Orman, the wealthy Kansas City businessman challenging him. Others remain dissatisfied with Roberts and cautioned against mistaking national endorsement for individual votes.
The GOP needs six seats to gain control of the Senate, and was not expecting to defend Roberts’ in typically GOP-heavy Kansas. Roberts needs to overwhelmingly win conservative voters to beat Orman, whom Roberts has described, as did Paul, as a Democrat in disguise.